Frank Pallone: “I rise to commend Members of the other body, Mrs. Snowe of Maine and Mr. Carper of Delaware, for forming the Senate…”

“I rise to commend Members of the other body, Mrs. Snowe of Maine and Mr. Carper of Delaware, for forming the Senate Recycling Caucus. Their effort compliments the prior formation of the House Recycling Caucus, which I was proud to establish with the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Gillmor. I would suggest that the House and Senate Recycling Caucuses work together on issues facing the recycling industry in the United States. I would also like to urge my colleagues here in the House to join our respective caucuses. When most of us think of recycling, we think either of the bright blue bins in our offices, or of collecting cans, bottles and newspapers at home. As important as municipal recycling is to our country, however, it represents just the tip of the iceberg of the $30 billion- plus manufacturing industry that employs over 1.1 million Americans. Most of us are probably also unaware that recyclables is one of our country's largest export commodities and are also one of the bright stars in our country's balance of trade. Many like myself see recycling as an important environmental issue facing our country, but there are a whole host of other issues that face, and possibly inhibit, recycling in the United States, far beyond just getting people to throw cans in the proper receptacle. That is why we created the Recycling Caucus, so we can focus our efforts on this important sector and address not only environmental issues, but also issues of trade, energy and commerce.…”